Taiwan leans on diplomatic plan B — Taipei Times
I published a new op-ed in the Taipei Times, Taiwan’s leading English-language daily, founded in 1999. The paper is a reference source on Taiwanese affairs and cross-strait relations, regularly featuring analysis from international experts and academics.
The subject: parliamentary diplomacy as Taiwan’s plan B
The article analyzes Taiwan’s strategic pivot toward parliamentary diplomacy. Following the cancellation of President Lai Ching-te’s state visit — caused by Chinese pressure on overflight permits — Taiwan faces a hard reality: traditional executive-level diplomatic access is increasingly locked down by Beijing.
In response, the island is leveraging an alternative channel: parliaments. Over 300 European parliamentarians are now involved through Taiwan friendship groups and dedicated caucuses across multiple legislatures. These legislative delegations have delivered concrete outcomes — resolutions addressing Chinese coercive measures, semiconductor supply chains, and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
The piece highlights a paradox: legislators who freely visit Taiwan lose that ability once they move into executive roles. It describes a two-track system where executive branches maintain formal diplomatic ambiguity while legislatures carry out substantive policy work that Beijing struggles to block.
I argue that Taiwan should deepen this parliamentary channel by reversing information flows, co-authoring legislation with international parliamentarians, and creating permanent bilateral legislative committees rather than depending on individual political champions.